Written by
Marcus Lindqvist Appliance Care EditorPublished October 26, 2026
VERIFIED
Error codeLF
ApplianceRefrigerator
When ice locks up the fan in the left half of the upper compartment, an LG kimchi refrigerator displays LF, Er LF or E LF. The fan simply cannot turn until the ice is gone.
How the frost builds
A compartment door that did not close completely is the manual’s typical culprit. Outside air gets in, and frost gathers around the fan motor.
Thaw it step by step
Relocate the food into a spare refrigerator or an insulated cooler.
Spread dry towels over the floor around the cabinet.
Pull the plug and open every door completely. Leave it like this for a minimum of 24 hours; a summer thaw can take about a day and a winter one up to three.
After the ice melts, wipe the inside and the floor dry.
Check that no moisture remains, reconnect power and see whether the code has gone.
Cautions
Do not point a hair dryer at the ice. Heat can deform plastic parts and creates a fire hazard. Because cold air passages link some compartments, meltwater may also flow into others.
Sibling codes
The right-hand fan of the upper compartment is rF. A fan serving the ice maker is IF, and Lo is merely a cold-room message.
San Francisco service for kimchi refrigerators
Still getting LF after a full thaw? Phone (415) 223-7887 from San Francisco or the surrounding Bay Area. Have the code, the model number and the length of your thaw written down. See LG refrigerator repair.
Model compatibility: LG reuses codes across series and model years, so LF may mean something different on another appliance or generation. Confirm this against your model’s documentation and record your full model number before acting.
Plain language
What this code means
Ice or frost blocks the internal cooling fan on the left side of the upper compartment.
Important safety warning. Do not attempt repairs involving electrical components, gas, water lines, refrigerant or sealed systems. Unplug the appliance if it is safe to reach the outlet, and leave internal diagnostics to a qualified technician.
Seeing this code on your LG appliance?
Book a specialist visit for a clear estimate and approval before any repair.
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